Ford to recall 40k Figo, Aspire units

Ford India has suspended deliveries of Figo compact and Aspire mini-sedan and will recall 40,000 units of these models as a software glitch can hamper functioning of the airbag.Pankaj Doval | TNN | April 22, 2016, 07:24 IST

NEW DELHI: Ford India has suspended deliveries of Figo compact and Aspire mini-sedan and will recall 40,000 units of these models as a software glitch can hamper functioning of the airbag. Sources in the company told TOI that the recall may be ordered on Friday as Ford India gets ready with the process of a software upgrade to rectify the issue. "Of 40,000 cars, nearly half will be Figo hatchback, while the rest will be Aspire."

A company spokesperson said deliveries have been restrained over the past three days as Ford India looked into a "software concern" related to the 'restraints control module', which can impact performance of the airbag. "However, the matter is expected to be sorted out by Friday after which there will be a resumption in deliveries of new cars," a source said.

The spokesperson added, "We have issued a dealer demonstration and delivery-hold notice. Ford remains committed to delivering world-class quality vehicles to customers, and dealer demonstration and delivery-hold are part of that commitment." The new Figo and Aspire models were launched last year and are considered as critical models by Ford to win market share.

Sources said cars at the dealerships are being upgraded by the new software. "As far as cars on roads are concerned, Ford India will inform customers individually. The software upgrade will be done free-of-cost and the process should take two-to-three hours at the dealerships." India does not have a mandatory recall policy. However, the government has plan to introduce a policy to ensure that companies inform customers of generic defects when they are noticed.